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'Far Cry Instincts' (PS2/Xbox) Developer Q&A

Just as Far Cry redefined the FPS genre for the PC, Far Cry Instincts will take things a step further with its wide open environments and unique immersive gameplay elements. Far Cry Instincts takes the PC version's signature locations, Full-Action Response A.I. (F.A.R. concept), and unprecedented view-distance, and combines them with improved gameplay scenarios that will challenge players to utilise an even broader range of strategies and survival tactics to uncover the many secrets within the beautiful, but deadly islands.

WP : Can you tell us more about the storyline?

J-FD : The storyline is basically the same. It’s the story of Jack Carver, a boat captain who ends up being at the wrong place at the wrong moment. He takes a “photojournalist” named Valerie Cortez to Jacutan Islands and his boat gets destroyed by a mysterious group of mercenaries. Trapped in the wild, Jack is clearly a prey who will have to use every possible tactics in order to survive. The adaptation is after Jack’s being captured and injected; he will start to physically and mentally evolve and will become the predator.

WP : Can you tell us what’s going on in Jacutan?

J-FD : The Island is control by Dr Krieger. He decided to go there in order to do some experiments on human genetics. His main objective is to awake human’s forgotten instincts. Dr Krieger has an army of mercenaries at his disposal to control the security of the Island, this group is under Col. Crowe supervision.

WP : From what I understand, the player evolves from prey to predator?

J-FD : Of course, when we start the game, Jack doesn’t have access to heavy fire power. He’ll need to use the environments to hide, to set traps and to attack the mercenaries. Since they are an organised group and they are all looking for Jack, it makes him the perfect prey on Jacutan.

At one point in the game, Jack is captured and injected by Crowe. After the injection, a complete system of evolution will now be in place of Jack!

WP : An evolution system? Can you elaborate?

J-FD : You’ll be thrilled to discover the evolution system that will allow you to use new moves such as the Feral Attack (attack with your hands), Feral Run (allows you to run faster and jump further), Feral Vision (you can see in the dark) and Feral Smell (track your enemy). You will also be stronger allowing the player to detach and use mounted weapons, bust doors open and finally and the last benefit of the evolution system is the fact that your life will regenerate allowing more direct attack

WP : The PC version of Far Cry was well known for its open ended-environment, will Far Cry Instincts offer the same possibilities?

J-FD : Far Cry Instincts reproduces the PC experience of Far Cry in terms of open-environment, graphic quality, choice of weapons and vehicles and a the procedural AI. The long range view is a great opportunity to snipe enemies from far away. We also pushed the experience further for the console players by implementing a kind of stealth system: when we start the game, we are a prey. Being a prey implies that we’ll need to use the environment to survive. The player will be able to hide in the grass and water without being detected by the AI if he keeps a reasonable distance. It will also be possible to set traps or to backstab enemies and finally, the AI detection system works in three steps. First, they are green on the HUD which means that they don’t know you’re there, secondly, they are yellow, which means they are interested in something and finally, red, you’re detected !!!!!

WP : You mentioned the vehicles; can you please go into details on this?

J-FD : Open spaces, plenty of different path available, there is only one way to explore everything in Far Cry Instincts: vehicles. In addition to the Far Cry vehicles that are making a comeback from the PC version, Humvee, Glider, Patrol boat & Inflatable boat, Far Cry Instintcs will be featuring 3 new vehicles, the water scooter, the ATV and the hovercraft.

Far Cry is all about going from one island to the next by using every bid of land and sea available. One vehicle can do it all and quite easily too: The hovercraft, This third new vehicle is a bit harder to drive but those who will master its control will be greatly rewarded.

WP : The AI was amazing in the PC version, will it be the same in Far Cry Instincts

J-FD : The AI is build on the same basis, in combat situations, they will use squad tactics, try to flank you while others pin you down, use cover and snipe from a distance whenever possible. We also have new AI behaviours for when the player will play stealth using the traps or backstabs. Whether they will be hunting you down or try to escape from you, they will be challenging opponents.